Section 4.

1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Maximum and Minimum Values

DEFINITION: A function f has an absolute maximum (or global maximum) at c if
f (c) f (x) for all x in D, where D is the domain of f. The number f (c) is called the
maximum value of f on D. Similarly, f has an absolute minimum (or global minimum)
at c if f (c) f (x) for all x in D and the number f (c) is called the minimum value of f on
D. The maximum and minimum values of f are called the extreme values of f.

DEFINITION: A function f has a local maximum (or relative maximum) at c if f (c)

f (x) when x is near c. [This means that f (c) f (x) for all x in some open interval containing
c.] Similarly, f has a local minimum (or relative minimum) at c if f (c) f (x) when x is
near c.
EXAMPLES:
1. The function f (x) = x2 has the absolute (and local) minimum at x = 0 and has no absolute
or local maximum.
2. The function f (x) = x2 , x (, 0) (0, ), has no absolute or local minimum and no
absolute or local maximum.

f (x) = x2 , x (, 0) (0, )

3. The functions f (x) = x, x3 , x5 , etc. have no absolute or local minima and no absolute or
local maxima.

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

4. The functions f (x) = sin x, cos x have infinitely many absolute and local minima and
maxima.

5. The functions f (x) = sec x, csc x have infinitely many local minima and maxima and no
absolute minima and maxima.

6. The functions f (x) = tan x, cot x have no absolute or local minima and no absolute or local
maxima.

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

7. The function f (x) = x4 + x3 11 x2 9 x + 18 = (x 3)(x 1)(x + 2)(x + 3) has the absolute

minimum at x 2.2 and has no absolute maximum. It has two local minima at x 2.6 and
x 2.2 and the local maximum at x 0.4.

8. The function f (x) = x, 1 x 2, has the absolute minimum at x = 1 and absolute

maximum at x = 2. It has no local maximum or minimum.
9. The function f (x) = x, 1 < x < 2, has no absolute or local minimum and no absolute or
local maximum.
10. The function f (x) = x has no absolute or local minimum and no absolute or local maximum.

1
1

1
1

1
1

11. The function f (x) = 1 has the absolute (and local) minimum and absolute (and local)
maximum at any point on the number line.

2
1
2

1
1

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

THEOREM (The Extreme Value Theorem): If f is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], then f
attains an absolute maximum value f (c) and an absolute minimum value f (d) at some numbers
c and d in [a, b].

THEOREM (Fermats Theorem): If f has a local maximum or minimum at c, and if f (c)

exists, then f (c) = 0.

REMARK 1: The converse of this theorem is not true. In other words, when f (c) = 0, f does
not necessarily have a local maximum or minimum. For example, if f (x) = x3 , then f (x) = 3x2
equals 0 at x = 0, but x = 0 is not a point of a local minimum or maximum.
REMARK 2: Sometimes f (c) does not exist, but x = c is a point of a local maximum or
minimum. For example, if f (x) = |x|, then f (0) does not exist. But f (x) has its local (and
absolute) minimum at x = 0.

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

DEFINITION: A critical number of a function f is a number c in the domain of f such that

either f (c) = 0 or f (c) does not exist.
REMARK: From Fermats Theorem it follows that if f has a local maximum or minimum at
c, then c is a critical number of f.
EXAMPLES:
5
(a) If f (x) = 2x2 + 5x 1, then f (x) = 4x + 5. Hence the only critical number of f is x = .
4

2
2
3
(b) If f (x) = x2 , then f (x) = x1/3 =
. Hence the only critical number of f is x = 0.
3
33x
(c) If f (x) =

1
1
, then f (x) = 2 . Since x = 0 is not in the domain, f has no critical numbers.
x
x
2

3
2
1

3 2 1
1

3 2 1

3
3 2 1
1

4
EXAMPLES:
(a) Find the critical numbers of f (x) = 2x3 9x2 + 12x 5.

3
(b) Find the critical numbers of f (x) = 2x + 3 x2 .

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLES:
3

(a) Find the critical numbers of f (x) = 2x3 9x2 + 12x 5.

Solution: We have

1
2

f (x) = 6x 18x + 12
= 6(x2 3x + 2)

= 6(x 1)(x 2)

thus f (x) = 0 at x = 1 and x = 2. Since f (x) exists everywhere, x = 1 and x = 2 are the only
critical numbers.

3
(b) Find the critical numbers of f (x) = 2x + 3 x2 .
Solution: We have
f (x) = (2x + 3x2/3 )
= 2x + 3(x2/3 )
2
= 2 1 + 3 x2/31
3



2
2( 3 x + 1)
23x
2
23x+2
2
1/3

+
=
=
+
=
= 2 + 2x
=
3
3
3
3
3
1
x
x
x
x
x
or
= 2 + 2x

1/3

= 2x

1/3

1/3

+ 2x

1/3

In short,

f (x) = 2 + 2x

1/3

= 2x

1/3

(x

1/3

1 = 2x

1/3

(x

1/3

2( 3 x + 1)

+ 1) =
3
x

2( 3 x + 1)

+ 1) =
3
x

3
It
follows
that
f
(x)
equals
0
when
x + 1 = 0, which is at x = 1; f (x) does not exist when

3
x = 0, which is at x = 0. Thus the critical numbers are 1 and 0.
2
1
5 4 3 2 1
1

EXAMPLE: Find the critical numbers of f (x) = x1/3 (2 x).

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find the critical numbers of f (x) = x1/3 (2 x).

Solution: We have
f (x) = [x1/3 (2 x)]

= (x1/3 ) (2 x) + x1/3 (2 x)
1
= x2/3 (2 x) + x1/3 (1)
3

2
3

2x
= 2/3 x1/3
3x


2 1
1

2x
3x
2 x 3x
2 4x
2 x x1/3 3x2/3

= 2/3 2/3 =
=
2/3
2/3
2/3
3x
3x
3x
3x
3x
3x2/3

2(1 2x)
3x2/3

In short,
f (x) = (x1/3 ) (2 x) + x1/3 (2 x) =

2x
2(1 2x)
x1/3 =
2/3
3x
3x2/3

Here is an other way to get the same result:

f (x) = [x1/3 (2 x)]
= (2x1/3 x4/3 )
= 2(x1/3 ) (x4/3 )
1
4
= 2 x1/31 x4/31
3
3
2
4
= x2/3 x1/3 =
3
3

4x1/3
2
4x1/3 x2/3
2
4x
2 4x
2

= 2/3 2/3 =
2/3
2/3
2/3
3x
3
3x
3x
3x
3x
3x2/3
=

or

4
2
= x2/3 x1/3 =
3
3

2
2
2 2/3
x
1 x2/3 2x = x2/3 (1 2x)
3
3
3

2(1 2x)
3x2/3

2(1 2x)
3x2/3

In short,
2
4
2
2(1 2x)
f (x) = (2x1/3 x4/3 ) = x2/3 x1/3 = x2/3 (1 2x) =
.
3
3
3
3x2/3
1
It follows that f (x) equals 0 when 1 2x = 0, which is at x = ; f (x) does not exist when
2
1
2/3
x = 0, which is at x = 0. Thus the critical numbers are and 0.
2
7

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

THE CLOSED INTERVAL METHOD: To find the absolute maximum and minimum values
of a continuous function f on a closed interval [a, b]:
1. Find the values of f at the critical numbers of f in (a, b).
2. Find the values of f at the endpoints of the interval.
3. The largest of the values from Step 1 and 2 is the absolute maximum value; the smallest
value of these values is the absolute minimum value.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2x3 15x2 + 36x on
the interval [1, 5] and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = 6x2 30x + 36 = 6(x2 5x + 6) = 6(x 2)(x 3)
there are two critical numbers x = 2 and x = 3.
Step 2: We now evaluate f at these critical numbers and at the endpoints x = 1 and x = 5.
We have
f (1) = 23, f (2) = 28, f (3) = 27, f (5) = 55
Step 3: The largest value is 55 and the smallest value is 23. Therefore the absolute maximum
of f on [1, 5] is 55, occurring at x = 5 and the absolute minimum of f on [1, 5] is 23, occurring
at x = 1.
EXAMPLES:
(a) Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2x3 15x2 + 24x + 2 on [0, 2]
and determine where these values occur.

(b) Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 6x4/3 3x1/3 on the interval
[1, 1] and determine where these values occur.

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLES:
(a) Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2x3 15x2 + 24x + 2 on [0, 2]
and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = 6x2 30x + 24 = 6(x2 5x + 4) = 6(x 4)(x 1)
there are two critical numbers x = 1 and x = 4.
Step 2: Since x = 4 is not from [0, 2], we evaluate f only at x = 1 and at the endpoints x = 0
and x = 2. We have
f (0) = 2, f (1) = 13, f (2) = 6
Step 3: The largest value is 13 and the smallest value is 2. Therefore the absolute maximum
of f on [0, 2] is 13, occurring at x = 1 and the absolute minimum of f on [0, 2] is 2, occurring
at x = 0.
(b) Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 6x4/3 3x1/3 on the interval
[1, 1] and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
4
1
f (x) = (6x4/3 3x1/3 ) = 6(x4/3 ) 3(x1/3 ) = 6 x4/31 3 x1/31
3
3
= 8x1/3 x2/3
= 8x2/3 x 1 x2/3
= x2/3 (8x 1)
=

8x 1
x2/3

1
there are two critical numbers x = 0 and x = .
8
Step 2: We now evaluate f at these critical numbers and at the endpoints x = 1 and x = 1.
We have
 
9
1
f (1) = 9, f (0) = 0, f
= , f (1) = 3
8
8
9
Step 3: The largest value is 9 and the smallest value is . Therefore the absolute maximum
8
9
of f on [1, 1] is 9, occurring at x = 1 and the absolute minimum of f on [1, 1] is ,
8
1
occurring at x = .
8
9

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2x + 3 on [1, 4] and
determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = (2x + 3) = (2x) 3 = 2(x) 3 = 2 1 0 = 2
there are no critical numbers.
Step 2: Since there are no critical numbers, we evaluate f at the endpoints x = 1 and x = 4
only. We have
f (1) = 2(1) + 3 = 2 + 3 = 1
f (4) = 2(4) + 3 = 8 + 3 = 11
Step 3: The largest value is 11 and the smallest value is 1. Therefore the absolute maximum of
f on [1, 4] is 11, occurring at x = 4 and the absolute minimum of f on [1, 4] is 1, occurring
at x = 1.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2x2 8x + 1 on [1, 3]
and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = (2x2 8x + 1) = (2x2 ) (8x) + 1 = 2(x2 ) 8(x) + 1 = 2 2x 8 1 + 0 = 4x 8
the number at which f is zero is 2. Therefore x = 2 is the critical number.
Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical number x = 2 and at the endpoints x = 1, 3. We have
f (2) = 2 22 8 2 + 1 = 2 4 8 2 + 1 = 8 16 + 1 = 7
f (1) = 2(1)2 8(1) + 1 = 2 + 8 + 1 = 11
f (3) = 2 32 8 3 + 1 = 2 9 8 3 + 1 = 18 24 + 1 = 5
Step 3: The largest value is 11 and the smallest value is 7. Therefore the absolute maximum
of f on [1, 3] is 11, occurring at x = 1 and the absolute minimum of f on [1, 3] is 7,
occurring at x = 2.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 5 x3 on [2, 1] and
determine where these values occur.

10

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 5 x3 on [2, 1] and
determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = (5 x3 ) = 5 (x3 ) = 0 3x2 = 3x2
the critical number is x = 0.
Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical number x = 0 and at the endpoints x = 2, 1. We have
f (0) = 5 03 = 5 0 = 5
f (2) = 5 (2)3 = 5 (8) = 5 + 8 = 13
f (1) = 5 13 = 5 1 = 4
Step 3: The largest value is 13 and the smallest value is 4. Therefore the absolute maximum of
f on [2, 1] is 13, occurring at x = 2 and the absolute minimum of f on [2, 1] is 4, occurring
at x = 1.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = x3 + 3x2 1 on [3, 2]
and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = (x3 + 3x2 1) = (x3 ) + (3x2 ) 1 = (x3 ) + 3(x2 ) 1 = 3x2 + 3 2x 0 = 3x2 + 6x
= 3x(x + 2)
the critical numbers are x = 0 and x = 2.
Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical numbers x = 0, 2 and at the endpoints x = 3, 2. We
have
f (0) = 03 + 3 02 1 = 0 + 0 1 = 1
f (2) = (2)3 + 3 (2)2 1 = 8 + 12 1 = 3
f (3) = (3)3 + 3 (3)2 1 = 27 + 27 1 = 1
f (2) = 23 + 3 22 1 = 8 + 12 1 = 19
Step 3: The largest value is 19 and the smallest value is 1. Therefore the absolute maximum
of f on [3, 2] is 19, occurring at x = 2 and the absolute minimum of f on [3, 2] is 1,
occurring at x = 0 and x = 3.

11

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 3x4 + 4x3 36x2 on
[2, 3] and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: Since
f (x) = (3x4 + 4x3 36x2 ) = (3x4 ) + (4x3 ) (36x2 ) = 3(x4 ) + 4(x3 ) 36(x2 )
= 3 4x3 + 4 3x2 36 2x
= 12x3 + 12x2 72x
= 12x(x2 + x 6)
= 12x(x 2)(x + 3)
the critical numbers are x = 0, x = 2, and x = 3.
Step 2: Since 3 6 [2, 3], we evaluate f only at the critical numbers x = 0, 2 and at the
endpoints x = 2, 3. We have
f (0) = 3 04 + 4 03 36 02 = 0 + 0 0 = 0

f (2) = 3 24 + 4 23 36 22 = 48 + 32 144 = 64
f (2) = 3 (2)4 + 4 (2)3 36 (2)2 = 48 32 144 = 128
f (3) = 3 34 + 4 33 36 32 = 243 + 108 324 = 27
Step 3: The largest value is 27 and the smallest value is 128. Therefore the absolute maximum
of f on [2, 3] is 27, occurring at x = 3 and the absolute minimum of f on [2, 3] is 128,
occurring at x = 2.
1
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2 on [0.4, 5] and
x
determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: We have

f (x) =

1
2
x

1
x2

= x2

= (2)x21 = 2x3 =

2
x3

Note that there are no numbers at which f is zero. The number at which f does not exist is
x = 0, but this number is not from the domain of f. Therefore f does not have critical numbers.
Step 2: Since f does not have critical numbers, we evaluate it only at the endpoints x = 0.4
and x = 5. We have
1
1
1
1
f (0.4) =
=
= 6.25
f (5) = 2 = = 0.04
2
(0.4)
0.16
5
25
Step 3: The largest value is 0.04 and the smallest value is 6.25. Therefore the absolute
maximum of f on [0.4, 5] is 0.04, occurring at x = 5 and the absolute minimum of f on [0.4, 5]
is 6.25, occurring at x = 0.4.
12

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

12
on [2, 4]
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 20 3x
x
and determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: We have

f (x) =

12
20 3x
x

= 20 3x 12x1

= 20 (3x) 12x1

= 20 3 x 12 x1

= 0 3 1 12(1)x11
= 3 + 12x2
Since
3 + 12x2 = 3 + 12

1
12
3x2 12
3x2 + 12
=
3
+
=
+
=
x2
x2
x2
x2
x2
=

3(x2 4)
x2

3(x2 22 )
x2

3(x 2)(x + 2)
x2

we have

3(x 2)(x + 2)
x2
The numbers at which f is zero are x = 2 and x = 2. The number at which f does not exist
is x = 0. But f is not defined at x = 0, therefore the critical numbers of f are x = 2 and
x = 2 only.
f (x) =

Step 2: Since 2 6 [2, 4], we evaluate f only at the critical number x = 2 (which is also one
of the endpoints) and at the second endpoint x = 4. We have
f (2) = 20 3 2

12
= 20 6 6 = 8
2

f (4) = 20 3 4

12
= 20 12 3 = 5
4

Step 3: The largest value is 8 and the smallest value is 5. Therefore the absolute maximum of
f on [2, 4] is 8, occurring at x = 2 and the absolute minimum of f on [2, 4] is 5, occurring at
x = 4.

13

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 2 3 x on [8, 1] and
determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: We have
f (x) = 2x1/3

= 2 x1/3

2
2
1
= 2 x1/31 = x2/3 = 2/3
3
3
3x

Note that there are no numbers at which f is zero. The number at which f does not exist is
x = 0, so the critical number is x = 0.
Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical number x = 0 and at the endpoints x = 8 and x = 1.
We have

3
f (0) = 2 0 = 2 0 = 0

f (8) = 2 3 8 = 2 (2) = 4

3
f (1) = 2 1 = 2 1 = 2
Step 3: The largest value is 2 and the smallest value is 4. Therefore the absolute maximum of
f on [8, 1] is 2, occurring at x = 1 and the absolute minimum of f on [8, 1] is 4, occurring
at x = 8.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = 5x2/3 on [1, 1] and
determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: We have
f (x) = 5x2/3

= 5 x2/3

10
10
2
= 5 x2/31 = x1/3 = 1/3
3
3
3x

Note that there are no numbers at which f is zero. The number at which f does not exist is
x = 0, so the critical number is x = 0.
Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical number x = 0 and at the endpoints x = 1 and x = 1.
We have
f (0) = 5(0)2/3 = 5 0 = 0
1/3

f (1) = 5(1)2/3 = 5 (1)2
= 5(1)1/3 = 5 1 = 5
f (1) = 5(1)2/3 = 5 1 = 5
Step 3: The largest value is 0 and the smallest value is 5. Therefore the absolute maximum of
f on [1, 1] is 0, occurring at x = 0 and the absolute minimum of f on [1, 1] is 5, occurring
at x = 1.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = x4/3 on [27, 27] and
determine where these values occur.
14

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = x4/3 on [27, 27] and
determine where these values occur.
Solution:
Step 1: We have

4
4
= x4/31 = x1/3
3
3
Note that there are no numbers at which f does not exist. The number at which f is zero is
x = 0, so the critical number is x = 0.
f (x) = x4/3

Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical number x = 0 and at the endpoints x = 27 and x = 27.
We have
f (0) = 04/3 = 0
4

f (27) = (27)4/3 = (27)1/3 = (3)4 = 81
4

f (27) = 274/3 = 271/3 = 34 = 81

Step 3: The largest value is 81 and the smallest value is 0. Therefore the absolute maximum
of f on [27, 27] is 81, occurring at x = 27 and the absolute minimum of f on [27, 27] is 0,
occurring at x = 0.
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) =
and determine where these values occur.

4 x2 on [2, 1]

Solution:
Step 1: We have
f (x) = (4 x2 )1/2

1
1
= (4 x2 )1/21 (4 x2 ) = (4 x2 )1/2 (4 (x2 ) )
2
2

1
1
= (4 x2 )1/2 (0 2x) = (4 x2 )1/2 (2x) = x(4 x2 )1/2
2
2
x
x
=
=
2
1/2
(4 x )
4 x2
Note that the number at which f is zero is x = 0 and the numbers at which f does not exist
are x = 2. Therefore the critical numbers are x = 0, 2, 2.
Step 2: Since 2 6 [2, 1], we evaluate f only at the critical numbers x = 0, 2 (which is also
one of the endpoints) and at the second endpoint x = 1. We have

f (0) = 4 02 = 4 0 = 4 = 2
p

f (2) = 4 (2)2 = 4 4 = 0 = 0

f (1) = 4 12 = 4 1 = 3

Step 3: The largest value is 2 and the smallest value is 0. Therefore the absolute maximum of
f on [2, 1] is 2, occurring at x = 0 and the absolute minimum of f on [2, 1] is 0, occurring
at x = 2.
15

Section 4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values

2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

5
EXAMPLE: Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f (x) = cos x on ,
2 2
and determine where these values occur.

Solution:
Step 1: We have
f (x) = sin x


5
Note that there are no numbers at which f does not exist. The numbers in ,
at which
2 2
f is zero on are x = 0, , 2, so the critical number is x = 0, , 2.

5
Step 2: We evaluate f at the critical numbers x = 0, , 2 and at the endpoints x = , .
2 2
We have
f (0) = cos 0 = 1
f () = cos = 1
f (2) = cos(2) = 1
 
 
f
= cos
=0
2
2
 
 
5
5
= cos
=0
f
2
2
Step 3:The largest
 value is 1 and the smallest value is 1. Therefore the absolute
 maximum

5
5
is 1, occurring at x = 0, 2 and the absolute minimum of f on ,
is
of f on ,
2 2
2 2
1, occurring at x = .

16